My journey to understanding how my own actions led me to a near-depressive state has been both enlightening and humbling. While there’s nothing inherently new in what I discovered, the realization of how deeply my habits and hormonal balance affected my mental state was profound.
I had long been aware of the role hormones play in regulating our moods and actions. I had read about it, learned about it during my studies in Chinese Medicine, and understood it on an intellectual level. However, it wasn’t until recently that this knowledge truly resonated with me. Sometimes, we encounter information at a time when we’re not ready to fully grasp its significance. It sits in the back of our minds, waiting for the right moment to become actionable wisdom.
Despite my spiritual journey and increased consciousness, I found myself unable to make certain changes in my life. This disconnect between my heart and mind led me to a near-depressive state. My heart yearned for something different, but my mind was stuck in old patterns, creating a significant impact on my well-being.
One of the most enlightening aspects of this journey was understanding the role of dopamine, a hormone that regulates our mood. Dopamine is generated when we engage in activities that make us happy, such as exercising or doing something we enjoy. However, if we fall into a routine where these activities are absent, we stop producing dopamine, leading to a self-sabotaging cycle.
Living in a beautiful place with a supportive family and a decent job, I found myself questioning why I felt so low. There was no apparent reason for my near-depression, yet something was clearly off. I realized that my lack of engaging activities was the culprit. To break this cycle, I needed to consciously influence my dopamine production.
I began incorporating small, consistent changes into my daily routine. I started going to bed earlier and engaging in more intense exercise. Instead of just walking, I forced myself to run, even though I didn’t particularly enjoy it. Despite my heavy workload and stressful days, I noticed an immediate and significant improvement in my mood and attitude. These small changes had a brutal and immediate impact on my well-being.
This realization, while seemingly simple, was a powerful reminder of the importance of balancing spiritual practices with physical actions. It’s not just about understanding concepts intellectually but also about applying them practically to influence our well-being. By consciously steering my actions to produce the right hormones, I could significantly improve my mental state.
If you’re not engaging in simple movements or activities that bring you joy, you may be unconsciously sabotaging yourself. Life’s burdens, bills, and duties can easily overshadow the things that make us feel good. For me, it was a gradual shift away from activities I loved, like kitesurfing and other water sports, which led to a decrease in dopamine production and an increase in self-sabotage.
Moving forward, I plan to delve deeper into understanding how hormones influence my mood and actions. By consciously steering my activities to produce the right hormonal balance, I aim to maintain a healthier mental state. It’s about knowing oneself and using this knowledge to create a better life.
I will continue to update on this journey, sharing insights and discoveries along the way. My goal is to recover my dopamine levels and prevent my mind from jeopardizing my life. It’s a continuous process of self-awareness and conscious action.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. I hope my experiences can help others understand the importance of balancing physical and mental activities to maintain overall well-being. Stay tuned for more insights and updates.
